Trailie
Tell Trailie your dates, pace, and interests — get a day-by-day Death Valley National Park plan with hikes, drives, and must-see stops.
Explore this park
Extreme heat, remote fuel stops, and starry winter nights define the experience.
In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Yet, each extreme has a striking contrast. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life thrives in Death Valley.
Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 12, 2026). Official Death Valley National Park page on nps.gov
is the most popular time to visit Death Valley.
starts early in Death Valley.
arrives in late October, with warm but pleasant temperatures and generally clear skies.
has cool days, chilly nights and rarely, rainstorms.
Warm and sunny days with the possibility of spring wildflowers is a big attraction. By May the valley can be scorching hot. With snow capping the high peaks and low angled winter light, this season is especially beautiful for exploring the valley.
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
$200.0026 + Passenger Vehicle: $200 In addition to the entrance fees listed below, additional permits are required for commercial groups, special park uses (weddings, memorialization, group events, etc.), commercial film and photography, research, and more.
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
$100.0016 - 25 Passenger Vehicle: $100 In addition to the entrance fees listed below, additional permits are required for commercial groups, special park uses (weddings, memorialization, group events, etc.), commercial film and photography, research, and more.
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$30.00All visitors, including Non-US residents, may purchase and utilize this entrance fee. Purchasing this entrance fee allows all persons traveling in one single private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van/RV/aircraft) to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$25.00All visitors, including Non-US residents, may purchase and utilize this entrance fee. Purchasing this entrance fee allows all persons traveling on 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase.
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00All visitors, including Non-US residents, may purchase and utilize this entrance fee. Purchasing this entrance fee allows a single individual traveling on foot or individuals traveling on one bicycle to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase.
Commercial Entrance - Per Person
$15.001 - 15 Passenger Vehicle: $15 per person. In addition to the entrance fees listed below, additional permits are required for commercial groups, special park uses (weddings, memorialization, group events, etc.), commercial film and photography, research, and more.
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
$15.00Non-commercial Groups (e.g., Scout groups, church groups, etc.) entering in a vehicle with a capacity of 16 persons or more are charged per-person for each person on board, not to exceed $200.
Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
FreeNational Park Service regulations allow school groups and other approved national and international academic institutions to obtain a waiver of Park entrance fees, provided that visit is for educational or scientific purposes, and the resources or facilities that the group intends to use, support those purposes. Submit your waiver through the link below at least one month prior to your visit.
The park is open daily all year.
Annual Entrance - Park
$55.00This pass allows all persons traveling with the pass holder in one single private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) or those on a motorcycle to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish for 12 months from the month of purchase.
Common questions
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.
TrailVerse lists 4 reservation types on the Permits tab, including Death Valley National Park Wilderness Permits and Scotty's Castle - Death Valley National Park. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.
